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Reporting Employee Concerns

Reporting Employee Concerns

Triad is committed to a culture of transparency, and one where staff feel free to express concerns or to raise issues without hesitation or fear of retaliation. To foster this culture, all of us must report instances of improper conduct, unsafe conditions, conflicts of interest, violations of law or policy, or other irregularities.

Summary of Policy

The Laboratory encourages workers to bring forward good-faith concerns regarding an improper activity or concern such as Violation of Law or Policy, Fraud Waste and Abuse, Safeguards and Security, Environment, Safety, Health, Quality, Harassment, Intimidation, Retaliation, Discrimination, Workplace Violence. The Laboratory addresses such concerns in an independent, objective manner.

Employees are encouraged, but not required, to address workplace concerns directly with their managers before initiating action through the Employee Concerns Program (ECP).

No Laboratory worker will be reprimanded, disciplined, or otherwise retaliated against as a result of filing such a complaint or participating in good faith in any procedures under the ECP.

Retaliation Will Not Be Tolerated!  We must foster an environment in which we all feel free to express concerns and to raise issues without fear of retaliation. Retaliation for the good faith reporting of a concern regarding any suspected instances of improper conduct, violation of law, regulation, or policy, or for participating in an investigation, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Staff should report any suspicion of such behavior to the Employee Concerns Hotline or Website, EA-Ethics, or Human Resources-Employee Relations. A report made by staff may also be protected from retaliation under certain laws and regulations, such as a whistleblower law or DOE’s Contractor Employee Protection Program.

Do the Right Thing

Speak up!  Have the courage to say and do what is difficult. Take action when you believe the law, our Code, or our policies may have been violated. Raising problems before they become bigger issues is essential to operating with integrity. Remember, an issue cannot be addressed unless it is brought to someone’s attention. Every time we ask a question or raise a concern, we create an opportunity to improve. You are encouraged, as determined by your own comfort level, to use any of the following for reporting concerns:

  • Your manager
  • Employee Concerns Hotline: (844) 537-9524, https://lanl.ethicspoint.com/
  • Call EA Ethics at (505) 667-7506
  • Send email to ecp@lanl.gov
  • Send a written concern to MS D449, Attention: ECP
  • Meet in person with an Ethics Specialist at TA-00, Bldg. 798, Room 2001 (1911 Central Avenue, 2nd floor, entrance on the end of the building across from Ashley Pond)

Common Questions

Speak up!  It is everyone’s responsibility to report misconduct, and you can do so without fear of retaliation for something you believe is true.  While starting with your manager is often the best way to efficiently address concerns, if you do not believe it is appropriate or do not feel comfortable doing so, you should speak to another member of management, the ECP, or HR-ER.

Experience has shown that a hotline is rarely used for malicious purposes, but unfortunately it can happen. It is important for employees to know that LANL does follow up on reports to the extent possible based on the provided information. Anyone who uses our reporting channels in bad faith to spread falsehoods or threaten others or with the intent to unjustly damage another person’s reputation will be subject to disciplinary action. Per P793, Employee Concerns, Section 3.0, “However, the Laboratory may take disciplinary action against any Laboratory employee who attempts to use the ECP to harm another employee through the intentional filing of a false report, whether orally or in writing. The Laboratory may report any subcontractor who intentionally files a false report to the subcontractor’s employer.”

Additional Resources